3:00 Sandown Tips

Topping the ratings for this renewal of the Grade 1 Tingle Creek is IL ETAIT TEMPS, having won the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase by 18 lengths on his seasonal reappearance last month. That came off the back of an impressive debut season over fences last time around, which concluded with a 5½-length beating of Jonbon over course and distance. That form can be franked today, with the latter looking more vulnerable than he has in the past, and his jumping looks much less assured. In contrast, the selection has looked natural over fences, and at seven years of age, there appears to be improvement to come in his second season over fences. He is better suited by quicker ground but is a versatile sort, and it would not be a major negative if the forecasted rain does fall. The current price of Evens looks more than fair, with late market support likely to send him off odds-on.

Far from Cheltenham, I do not mind having a bet on Jonbon, especially at these odds. A five-time course-and-distance winner, including the last two editions of this race, he was beaten by today’s favourite in the Celebration Chase last April, arguably under different conditions. He was having his seasonal reappearance when well beaten at Cheltenham on the back of a wind operation, and he could be a very different proposition today. Nicky Henderson applies first-time headgear in the hope it sharpens his focus and helps him jump with more fluency. Overall, his career speaks for itself with 18 wins and 6 seconds from 24 runs. The full brother to Douvan has the class to bounce back, especially at a track that suits him so well. At 100/30, he looks worth a small bet.

L'eau Du Sud has won 5 of his 7 starts over fences, including at this meeting last year. Although his two failures were at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals, he is possibly better at this time of year, being a very impressive winner of the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month, beating Jonbon by 15 lengths. Il Etait Temps is going to be difficult to beat, but at the odds L'eau Du Sud looks the value alternative.